Hi there.
I am happy to announce that the online speaker bureau eSpeakers has assessed my work as a virtual presenter and given me its stamp of approval.
I am proud of this recognition.
But for me, becoming a strong virtual presenter is about more than receiving a certification or an approval.
It is about understanding that presenting online is different from presenting on a physical stage.
Virtual presenting is not just live presenting through a camera
When you speak in a room, you can feel the audience.
You see their faces.
You notice when people are engaged, confused or losing interest.
You can use the energy in the room.
Online, many of these signals become weaker or disappear completely.
People may have their cameras off.
They may be sitting in a home office, at a kitchen table or somewhere else entirely.
There can be technical problems, distractions and competing screens.
That means a virtual presenter needs to be even more intentional.
The audience is still human
The technology may have changed, but the basic principles of communication have not.
People still want clarity.
They want to understand why something matters.
They want to feel included.
They want useful information.
And they want to connect with the person speaking to them.
A good virtual presentation is therefore not simply about having good slides or knowing how to use Zoom.
It is about creating a human connection through a screen.
What makes a good virtual presenter?
For me, several things matter.
Clarity.
Know your message. Don’t make the audience work too hard to understand your point.
Energy.
Bring enough energy to the screen to keep people with you. Online, low energy can feel even lower.
Interaction.
Don’t treat the audience as passive viewers. Ask questions, invite reflection and create opportunities for participation.
Preparation.
Check your technology, camera, microphone, lighting and presentation before you go live.
Presence.
Look into the camera when appropriate. Speak to the people on the other side rather than simply talking to your slides.
And perhaps most importantly:
Be yourself.
People can sense when communication feels artificial.
Why this matters for leaders
Virtual presenting is not only relevant to professional speakers.
Leaders present all the time.
We present strategies.
We explain changes.
We run team meetings.
We speak to customers.
We train employees.
We communicate during difficult situations.
And increasingly, these conversations happen through screens.
So virtual presentation skills have become an important part of leadership communication.
The goal is not to become a television presenter.
The goal is to communicate clearly enough that people understand, remember and act on what you are saying.
I am still learning
Receiving this stamp of approval from eSpeakers is something I appreciate.
At the same time, I see it as another step in a much bigger learning process.
Communication is never finished.
Every audience is different.
Every platform is different.
Every speaker can improve.
And every virtual presentation gives us another opportunity to learn what works and what doesn’t.
The screen may create distance, but it doesn’t have to create disconnection.
We can still communicate with energy, clarity and humanity.
That is what I want to keep improving as a virtual presenter.
– Antoni
